Stage lift flow device



June 8, 1943. A. BoYN'i'oN STAGE LIFT FLOW DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l STAGE LIFT FLOW DEVICE Filed Dec. 8,, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QR m QR .82 o .2: 8m 8 5 m w hm 20m 8 own m9 On 8 umm|\ mm A" 5 A, .v om 2 u E STI 6T MN on cowl L9 [N1 3N 9 I M L9 9 v 8T 3T mNI mm t 2 n9 n9 h wk Patented June 8, 1943 STATES OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to flowing devices for wells.

An object is to overcome the high pressures usually necessary to start wells to flowing through either the tubing or the casing by employing compressed air or gas confined in the casing, to induce flow through the tubing, or, in the tubing, to induce flow through the casing.

Another object is to provide a device which may be employed to start and flow a well through either the tubing or the casing, the induction conduit for compressed air or gas and the eduction tube for well liquid being reversed by merely changing the input air or gas connection, from one to the other.

A further object is to provide means which may be especially adapted to flow a well through the casing only by slightly changing the construction from that employed to flow a well through the tubing only.

A still further object is to provide means for throttling the air or gas employed to lift the well liquid in proportion to the volume of air or gas required to eificiently expel it through either the tubing or the casing.

For flowing a well through either the casing or the tubing by means of the same device, I employ a double-ended plunger valve balanced between two valve seats by two opposing springs, either valve being adapted to engage its seat by the force of pressure fluid and to become disengaged therefrom by the force of well liquid, plus the force of the spring acting in the same direction as the well liquid. In this construction, either valve moves toward its seat in a chamber which diminishes in diameter toward the seat while the other valve is moving away from its seat in a similar chamber.

In one of the constructions adapted to flow a well in one direction only whether through the tubing or casing, the pressure fluid is opposed by the force of a spring and the resistance of the well liquid, these opposing forces being exerted upon a plunger having its upper and lower ends formed into valves adapted to engage opposing seats at the extremities of a chamber tapering in both directions from its center in order to efficiently throttle the pressure fluid.

In the remaining constructions, the opposing forces are the same as in the preceding form, but the plunger chamber tapers in the direction of its upper seat only, while a depending extension of the plunger tapers in the reverse direction in order to properly meter the power to the load.

I attain the foregoing, and other objects, by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig, 1 is a broken side view partly in section showing the installation of the devices in a well.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the preferred embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a broken vertical section illustrating a modified form of the plunger and throttling sleeves shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5-43, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through a modifled form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal section through a modified form of the construction shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 illustrates the power graph.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through another modified form.

Fig, 10 is a partial longitudinal section through a modified form of the construction shown in Fig. 9.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views'of each separate mechanism.

In Fig. 1, either of the constructions illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, or 10 are shown installed in a well.

It will be understood that compressed air or gas, hereinafter referred to as pressure fluid, will be employed as a power means for accomplishing flow of the well liquid through either the tubing or the casing, as will be hereinafter explained.

The liquid column caused to upstand in the tubing responsive to pressure fluid force in the annular space between the tubing and the easing, and the liquid column caused to upstand in the casing responsive to pressure fluid force in the tubing will be referred to as the upstanding column; and the lower liquid level in the space occupied by the pressure fluid will be referred to as the depressed liquid level.

It will be further understood that a portion of the upstanding column may be expelled from the well as a slug by admitting pressure fluid into it near its base or that expulsion of the well liquid may result from aeration, due to admitting pressure fluid at several places in the upstanding column which will be stretched or elongated by expansion of pressure fluid globules until flow is thereby accomplished.

The difference in pressures'obtaining at the same level in'the tubing and in the annular space between the tubing and the casing will be referred to as the differential, that being the force which actuates the valves in all forms of this invention,

The devices for either tubing or casing flow are connected into the tubing string at intervals which may vary, 200 to 300 feet being the usual spacing. This spacing, ordinarily, should be determined by the differential force required to seat the valves.

Preferably, the per square inch differential force required to seat the valves should be equal to, or somewhat greater than, the per square inch weight of well liquid between any two devices. Such adjustment will always cause a lower valve to be uncovered by the receding well liquid before the valve next above it will be closed, as will be explained now.

In Fig. 2, which illustrates a device adapted to flow a well either through the tubing or the casing, the coupling shell 1, which may be a steel casting, has coupling means at either end, whereby the device is adapted to be threadedly joined into the tubing string, the central conduit 2 being in alignment with the tubing passage. The rib-like lateral enlargement 3 has a central bore 4- closed at its upper end by the plug l4 and closed at its lower end by the plug 15, the sloping ribs 3a and 3a being guides to facilitate easy insertion and withdrawal through the casing.

The upper valve seat sleeve 6 and the lower valve seat sleeve 1 have threaded engagement within the bore 4 at proper distance apart to .allow the plunger 5 to be positioned between them and have end clearance with them, as shown.

The upper valve seat sleeve member 6 has a tapered central opening 6b, an untapered opening 6d, and a straight central opening of reduced diameter 60. The valve seat 6a is adapted to be engaged by the valve 50.

The lower valve seat sleeve member I has a tapered central opening 1b, an untapered opening 6d, and a straight central opening of reduced diameter 10. The valve seat la is adapted to be engaged by the valve 5b.

The plunger 5 has a central enlargement 5a, having slight clearance, such as ,4, to 6 inch within the bore 4.

The upper end of the plunger 5 has a central bore extending to slightly above the enlargement 5a. which bore receives the depending shank 8a of the spring 8. The lower end of the plunger has a similar bore, which likewise receives the upstanding shank I la of the spring I I.

The springs 8 and 9, which have slight clearance within the bore 4, are caused to align by the connection fitting Ill loosely slidable within the bore 4. The springs II and I2, which also have slight clearance within the bore 4, are caused to align by the connection l3, loosely slidable within the bore 4. The spring 9 has its upper end engaged upon the plug Id. The spring l2 has its lower end engaged upon the plug l5. Said plugs are adapted to seal the extremities of the bore 4 hermetically.

The plunger 5 is balanced midway between the seats 6a and la with which the valves 50 and 5b, respectively, are adapted to engage by overcoming the forces of said opposed springs, as appears.

The tapered openings 61) and lb are shown flared trumpet-like, in order to develop straight lines in both upper and lower legs of the power graph, as shown in Fig. 8.. The valves 5b and 50, respectively, are positioned normally approximately half way into these respective chambers.

Fig. 8 illustrates a power graph which can be produced by any of the constructions shown. In that figure, the line GI-I represents the tubing. Flowing devices are indicated at A, B, and C. The triangular power graph AD--C indicates pounds of differential in its length, and its width E indicates volumetric units of pressure fluid.

It will be understood that this, or any other power graph employed to illustrate pictorally the application of power to the load, will have its lower extremity or zero point resting upon the surface of the depressed liquid; while the distance between the upper and lower ends of this graph will indicate the differential force required to seat the valves. The lower end of the power graph will rest upon the surface of the depressed liquid, because that is the place of no difierential between the upstanding column and the pressure fluid force, both of these forces being in balance there.

It will be assumed that the distance represented by the line B-D indicates units of pressure fluid volume admitted through the device 13 when the upper end of the power graph is at A and the lower end is at C.

If, due to the discharge of well liquid, the depressed liquid level descends to C, the power graph Will then be indicated by A'C-D and it will be noted that the volume BE, plus the volume C-F, equals the volume B-D. Power graphs so formed always will produce an even flow of well liquid because of the uniform and even admission of pressure fluid at all times.

The clearance between the plunger and its chamber at each different difierential determines the volume of pressure fluid that will pass through the device at any given value of the pressure fluid.

If the greatest volume of pressure fluid passes the plunger midway of its travel, the resulting power graph will show the peak volume midway of the difierential line, as at B-D.

In Fig. 8, the line AD will be referred to as the upper leg of the graph and the line C-D will be referred to as the lower leg of the graph.

The variable clearance between the plunger and its chamber during the first half of its travel toward its seat determines the form assumed by the lower leg of the graph; while the variable clearance between the plunger and its chamber during the second half of its travel toward its seat determines the form of the upper leg of the graph, as will be more fully explained later. Either leg of the power graph can be made straight, as shown, or convex or concave, or one leg can be made convex while the other is concave, and vice versa, as will appear.

It should be stated here that the power graph, being a diagrammatic illustration of the power applied to the load, will show to those skilled in the art how the well will flow and indicates the approximate gas-oil ratios which will result from any given well conditions.

The springs 8 and 9 of the same diameter wire are shown wound of different pitches, the spring 9 being of the lesser pitch. Likewise, the springs II and 12 are shown to be of the same diameter wire but wound of different pitches, spring l2 being the weaker on account of having the lesser pitch.

It is apparent that the springs 8 and 9 may be combined into one spring and that the springs H and I2, likewise, may be substituted by one spring if the peak volume is desired proximate the middle of the differential as in Fig. 8, the

purpose of the weaker springs 9 and I2 being to cause the plunger to approach its seat more rapidly during the distance that the weaker springs remain operative, that is, until they are compressed completely. Thus by employing a weaker spring in combination with a stronger spring, the peak volume is reduced and the peak volume point moved in the direction of no differential.

If the openings 8b and ill are tapered straight and in the same direction as shown, flared, the power graph will be convex and the peak volume will be greater. If the walls of the openings 61) and Ib are concaved, by reversing the bow of the arched walls, the power graph will show still greater volume and both legs of the graph will be more convex than will result from a straight taper.

If, however, the openings 6b and lb are made straight, i. e. of equal diameter throughout, the difierential at which the peak volume occurs will be moved toward the upper end of the graph.

While it is not permissible to discuss here at length the results of my hundreds of experiments in developing a bound volume of power graphs developed by tested constructions, the above stated causes and eifects will enable those skilled I in the art to develop any form of power graph that may be desired to accomplish efficient application of power from pressure fluid in flowing wells by the expansive force or air or gas.

For flowing through the tubing, the pressure fluid enters the chamber 4 through the opening 3b, passes around the plunger enlargement 5a, and enters the tubing through the opening 30. For flowing through the casing, the pressure fluid reverses the path for tubing flow.

Fig. 4, showing a modified form of the construction in Fig. 2, illustrates that the metering of pressure fluid also can be accomplished by a tapered extension of the plunger, the plunger proper working in a straight bore, this construction being otherwise the same as in Fig. 2.

The upper extension 5d of the plunger 5A is arcuately tapered and proximate its small end has such clearance with the straight opening 60 as will allow the proper volume of pressure fluid to pass at low differentials. The diameter of extension 512 is greatest proximate the valve 50, where it may be slightly less than the diameter of the opening 60. Likewise, the lower plunger extension Se is arouately tapered and proximate its small end has proper clearance with the opening Ic to allow the proper volume of pressure fluid to pass at low differentials. The diameter of this extension is greatest proximate the valve 51) where it may be slightly less than the diameter of the opening Ic.

The pins or tapered extensions 5d and 5e may be also of straight taper or the surfaces thereof may be concave, depending upon the form of power graph desired. If tapered in such various ways, the flow of pressure fluid governed thereby will correspond to the power graph developed by corresponding tapers of the openings 61) and lb discussed in connection with Figure 2.

The valve seat sleeve members 6A and IA, having the valve seats BAa and IAa adapted to be engaged by the valves 50 and 5b, respectively, correspond in general purpose to the members 6 and l in Figure 2.

On account of the metering being accomplished by the pin-like extensions 5d and lie within the openings 60 and 10, respectively, the openings GA?) and IAb of the members 6A and IA may be untapered, although they are shown tapered. in

order to assume the governing function in relation to the plunger if the pin-like extensions should become abraded out of gauge.

Fig. 6 illustrates a device adapted to flow the well through the tubing. In this construction, I show a plunger valve operative in a double tapered chamber for the purpose of developing any necessary power graph.

The coupling shell I6 is adapted to be threadedly connected into the tubing string and has a lateral enlargement Ilia, similar to the enlargement 3 shown in Figure 2, the sloping ribs IBD and IE2) being guides to prevent the devices from hanging in the casing. The plug ll hermetically closes the upper end of the bore housing the springs I9 and 2|.

The plunger 23, having a central longitudinal bore to receive the shank 2 I a or the spring 2 I, has its upper end formed into a valve 23a, adapted to engage the seat 24a of the meterin shell 24 at a pre-determined differential. The lower end of this plunger is formed into a check valve 231), adapted to engage the seat shown at the upper end of the central opening I81) through the bushing member I8. This latter member has threaded connection within the lower end of a longitudinal opening through the lateral nlargement I611.

The metering shell 24 may be pressed in and landed against the annular shoulder Ifid. The bushing member I8 has a metering shell Ilia adapted to engage endwise with the shell 24 so as to form a plunger chamber of reverse tapers, as appears.

The coiled spring I9 may be aligned with the spring 2| by means of the connection fitting 20. These springs are shown to be of the same coil diameter and pitch, but the upper spring is the weaker, being wound of smaller diameter wire.

The check valve 22 is shown poured of babbitt, or the like, around the lower end of the spring 2i, thus reinforcing and supporting the shank 2Ia. Any other type of check valve, having a depending shank similar to the one indicated at am, of course, would serve the same purpose.

For causing tubing flow, the path of the pressure fluid is out of the annular space between the casing and the tubing into the opening I8b, around the plunger 23, through the opening I6 around the check valve 22, and between this valve and the bore containing the springs, out into the tubing through the slot I60.

At a pre-determined diiierential, the springs, which have slight clearance within the bore housing them, will be compressed by the plunger 23, which will then seat its valve 23a upon the seat 24, thus closing the opening I6). The connection fitting 20' also has slight clearance within the spring bore.

Slight clearance is shown between the end of the shank 2 Ia and the lower end of the bore in the plunger in order that the plunger will be easily lifted from its seat within the member I8.

It is common practice to place a check valve within the tubing proximate its lower end, as indicated at 40, Fig. 1. Such a check valve prevents well liquid left in the tubing at conclusion of any flowing operation from draining back into the well if the flowing devices are provided with check valves. The check valves 22 and 23b accomplish this purpose.

The metering shells Illa and 24 provide that the resulting power graph may be comparable to the one illustrated in Fig. 8, because it is apparent that the greatest volume of pressure fluidwill pass the plunger 23 when it is midway of its travel, the volume of pressure fluid being. progressively increased as the plunger rises, until it arrives midway of its travel. Thereafter, the tapered opening within the member 24 gradually reduces the volume until the valve 23a seats.

The tapered openings within the members Ito and 24, while shown to be of the samelength and taper, may be of difierent lengths and tapers. If the upper chamber is shorter; the peak volume will be moved in the direction of greater differential, and if the lower chamber is shorter, the peak volume will be moved in the direction of no differential.

If either of the springs be weaker than the other and of such length that its coils will meet before the plunger seals ofi upon the seat 24a, the peak volume of pressure fluid passing through the device will be moved in thedirection of no differential, because the plunger will meet less resistance in the first half of its travel than in the second half.

Fig. '7 illustrates that the construction for tubing flow shown in Fig. 6 may be slightly modified to accomplish casing flow. This adaptation results from admitting pressure fluid from the tubing through the opening lfig, whence it passes through the annular opening 250, the lateral openings 25a, into the central longitudinal opening 25b, after which it passes aruond the plunger 23 within the metering shells 24 and 25, thence passing through the opening if, from which it goes out through the slot lBh. into the annular space between the tubing and the casing.

The packing 26 is contacted by the gland ring 21 responsive to the thrust of the plug 28 having threaded engagement within the lower end of the lower chamber within the lateral enlargement Mia.

The metering of pressure fluid is accomplished as was explained in connection with Figure 6.

Fig. 9, illustrating the fourth modification, is designed for tubing flow and modifies the construction shown in Fig. 6.

The plunger 30 has its upper end formed into a valve 3ila adapted to engage the seat I670 at a predetermined differential.

The lower end of this plunger is formed into a check valve 36?) adapted to engage a seat upon the upper end of the bushing 3|, this valve and the check valve 22 being for the purpose of preventing the contents of the tubing from draining back into the well as conclusion of each flowing operation, as was explained in connection with Figure 6.

The depending extension 300 is tapered convexly in order to produce a power graph as shown in the lower leg D-C of Fig. 8. The chamber IE7 is convexly tapered in order to produce a power graph similar to the upper leg AD of Fig. 8. It will be understood that the tapers of both the plunger extension and of the plunger chamber may be varied in order to develop different power graphs, as was explained in connection with Figure 2.

The spring 29 is shown of closer pitch'toward its upper end. As these more closely wound coils close upon one another, the spring becomes stiffer, thus modifying the power graphin a manner previously explained. It will be understood that the same modifications of the power graph that can be obtained by making the springs of difierent strengths can be also obtained by changing the slopes and lengths of the plunger chambers.

The depending shank 29a of the spring 29 has its lower end landed upon the bottom of a bore extending proximate the lower end of the extension 3!)c. This means of exerting the spring force as far down within the plunger member as possible is shown in all forms of the invention, because the plungers remain more central at all differentials than if the spring resistance Were exerted higher up which would develop an undesirable knee action.

The check valves 22 and 3317 are to prevent the tubing from draining back into the well, as was previously explained.

The path of the pressure fluid is out of the annular space within the casing and into the tubing via the central opening through the member 3|, the clearance around the plunger 30, the opening 16f, the clearance around the check valve 22 (after it has been raised by the difierential force) and out through the slot lGc.

Fig. 10 illustrates an adaptation for easing flow of the construction shown in Fig. 9. The plunger and depending extension, as well as the action of both, are the same, and operate the same as in Fig. 9.

The lower end of the plunger chamber bore is closed by the plug 28, packing 26, and gland 21, actingagainst the sleeve 32, similar to the manner shown in Figure 7, the shoulder "in serving to arrest this sleeve which may be pressed in The path of the pressure fluid is out of the tubing and into the casing via the opening lBg, the annular space 250, the lateral openings 32a, the clearance around the depending extension 390 and the plunger 39, the opening I6 the spring chamber above the opening l6j, and out through the slot 16h.

Fig. 1 illustrates that either form of this invention may be installed in a well to flow it through either the tubing or the casing.

head 33 and the casing 43 proximately above the ground surface 37.

For tubing flow, the input air or gas line 34 will be used to supply pressure fluid into the annular space 43a. if the well should not produce enough gas to flow it. If the well produces enough gas to flow it, the opening shown occupied by the pipe 34 may be closed by a plug. The tubing flow discharge conduit is indicated at 36, the same being a continuation of the tubing 39, but in practice considered a separate line. The opening shown occupied by the pipe 35 should be plugged for tubing flow.

The check valve 43, for tubing flow only will be ordinarily placed in the tubing string proximately above the intake nipple 4 l which may be substituted by a piece of perforated pipe.

The anchor string 42 is usually employed to support part of the weight of the tubing upon the bottom of the well 44.

The well fluid enters the casing from the producing formation 46 via the gun perforations 45.

If the wellis to be flowed through the casing, the check valve 43 will be omitted and the pressure fluid admitted through the line 36. The pipe 3 2 will be closed and the pipe 35 then will become the eduction conduit for well liquid.

The devices 38, for either tubing or casing flow, are actuated by the difierential in pressures 0btaining inside and outside of the tubing at the respective levels of the operating valves, as was previously explained and in a manner well known to the art.

The plunger in either embodiment of this invention may be tapered, as shown in my Patent A hermetic seal is formed between the casing.

Number 1,926,031 issued September 12, 1933, and it is understood that both plungers and metering chambers, as well as other details of construction, are subject to many minor changes within the scope and purpose of this invention, and I reserve the right to make the same under the claims of this patent.

Attention is directed to the fact that high and low pressure areas frequently prevail in a column of well liquid being expelled by aeration. These fluctuating pressures frequently cause the valves of flow devices to chatter or fly open, thus increasing the difierence between the high and low pressure areas and the frequency of such occurrences.

Under flowing conditions where excessive breaking through of gas and slippage of the well liquid is apt to develop, I employ a straight portion in the gas-metering means. In Figure 2, the straight portions 612 and 6d are incorporated in the metering chambers 61) and lb respectively. These untapered portions have a slide valve fit with the plunger 5. In Figure 4, I employ, for the same purpose, the untapered portions and 5 of the tapered pins 5d and 5e. These untapered portions have a slide valve fit within the openings 60 and 70, respectively. In Figs. 6 and '7, I employ the straight or untapered portion 2422 having a slide valve fit with the plunger 23. In Figs. 9 and 10, the untapered portion [6m of the metering chamber I67 has a slide valve fit over the plunger 30, and the untapered portion 36d of the depending extension 300 has a slide valve fit within the bushing 3| of Fig. 9 and the sleeve 32 of Fig. 10.

It is apparent that various minor changes may be made in the constructions set forth in the specification and drawings, within the scope and purpose in this invention; and I reserve the right to make such changes in carrying out the objects thereof pursuant to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A valve body, a housing thereon, a valve chamber in said housing, valve seats at the upper and lower ends of said chamber, said seats having a cylindrical area adjacent thereto and a convexly tapering area leading to said cylindrical area, a cylindrical valve member between said seats, tapered ends thereon to engage said seats,

said valve member being adapted to engage slidably within said cylindrical areas, said housing having openings above and below said valve chamber, one opening communicating with the interior of said body and the other with the exterior thereof, and springs to hold said valve resiliently between said seats, each of said springs having separate portions of difierent resistance to compression and of correspondingly different expansive forces when compressed whereby said springs exert a variable force upon said valve as they are compressed in the movement of the valve, so that the rate of movement of said valve to or from the seat will not be uniform.

2. A flow valve comprising a valve body having a housing thereon, a valve chamber in said housing, said housing having openings adjacent its opposite ends to the interior and exterior of the valve body, spaced valve seats within said chamber intermediate said openings, a valve in the chamber intermediate said seats, and a spring in said housing having its ends attached to the body and valve respectively to control the movements of the valve under a diiferential pressure between the interior and exterior of the valve body, said spring having relatively weaker and stronger portions of which the weaker is adapted to be completely compressed during movement of the valve whereby the force tending to seat the valve upon one of the seats is varied.

3. A valve body, a housing thereon, a valve chamber in said housing, valve seats at the upper and lower ends of said chamber, the surfaces proximate said seats being contoured to provide a tapering area merging with the inner walls of the valve chamber, a valve member within said valve chamber, said valve member being adapted to move in opposite directions into one of said tapered areas to throttle the fluid passing therethrough, said housing having openings at opposite ends of the valve chamber communicating respectively with the interior and exterior of the body, and springs each having separately identiflable portions of different resistance to compression and of correspondingly difierent expansive forces whereby said springs exert a variable force upon said valve as they are stressed in the movement of the valve.

' ALEXANDER BQYNTON. 

